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Behind the scenes of Skills

by
Jen Sharpe
/ Edmonton Oilers

It's been a few months since my last blog. As you can imagine, it's difficult (and perhaps a little inappropriate) to write lighthearted reports on life with the Oilers when the team has been struggling so significantly. I also haven't been on any road trips recently, mostly because my passport is being held hostage at the Brazilian Consulate in advance of my mid-February trip to South America. (I suspect the Vancouver-based Consulate is staffed by Canucks fans and they are punishing me for my less-than-favourable report on their conduct earlier this season.)

Thankfully, my blog drought ended when the Oilers and their lovely fans were able to forget the woes of the past 18 games by partaking in the club's annual Skills Competition at Rexall Place on January 24. Last season, I covered the Skills Competition from the Press Box. (Fun Ranking: Moderate.) This season, I was promoted to the sidelines! (Fun Ranking: Uber Maximum!)

I have been on the Oilers bench before, but never longer than 15 seconds and never with anybody around. This time, I was actually SUPPOSED to be there and, with the help of Video Producer Steve Taylor, I was able to copiously document the experience and email links of the video footage to all my friends and family and strangers.

Here's how the Skills Competition went for me:

HANGIN' OUT WITH TEAM WHITE

During the event introduction, Steve and I snuck up the hallway and out onto the visitors bench. We didn't have to be sneaky about this at all, but when the lights are dim and the music is suspenseful and the fans are cheering extremely loudly, it feels like you're breaking the rules by walking down that tunnel in high heels. Steve and I have our own die-hard fans, of course, but they usually don't gather in the thousands at Rexall Place -- they gather in pairs at our respective family dinner tables.

Standing on the bench during the Oilers intro was exhilarating. Because I'm normally watching the pre-game festivities from way up in the Press Box, it was cool to see the video boards, lights, and fans from ice-level.

(Note: When doing lighthearted interviews with Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Robert Nilsson, or Tom Gilbert, you must always give the interviewee the opportunity to make fun of Sam, Andrew, Robert or Tom. This instantly makes the interview 35% more hilarious, in my experience.)

At about this time, I became desperate for a piece of gum and asked Ladi if he had a piece to spare. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a foil-covered stick of Wrigley, and warned me that it was old and dry but probably chewable. I popped it into my mouth and deftly avoided cutting my cheek on its sharp edges.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I chomped this old piece of gum throughout the entire Skills Competition, which is evident in the remaining bench interviews. Don't do this the next time you're interviewing people. It's quite unattractive.

FASTEST UPSET

After the Puck Control Relay, it was time for the Fastest Skater Competition. For the third straight year, Andrew Cogliano was the overwhelming favourite to win the event, but for the third straight year, he stumbled out of the gate and was defeated by an underdog. This season, the dark horse winner was 33-year-old defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky.

Many of the players had their kids on the benches for the afternoon, and while watching the Three-on-One event, Shawn Horcoff's adorable offspring came over to visit us. I encouraged them to interview their dad, but the youngest thought it would be more fun to slobber all over the microphone. Thankfully, I was able to disinfect the mic by wiping it on my jeans. Devan Dubnyk was none the wiser when it came time for my next Q & A.

Midway through our interview, the slapshot star was summoned to compete for King of the Shootout. He skated away from us, picked up the puck at centre ice, wired it past Jeff Deslauriers, and skated right back to continue our interview. You can accuse him of having a bad haircut, but you can't accuse him of being rude.

RIDING THE PINE

The final event of the afternoon was 3-on-3, which Steve and I enjoyed from the spot normally held by the Oilers back-up goalie. With the action sweeping back and forth in front of us, and the players entering and exiting the bench, it was the closest I will ever get to watching an NHL game from the best seats in the house.

It was a perfect ending to probably the funnest day of my professional career. I know the players had a great time, and I hope the fans did too.

Me and Sheldon Souray as he high-fives an Oiler after a shift during 3-on-3. I didn't get any high-fives for my efforts, but that was probably a simple oversight.